Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. promotes, supports and develops independent living for people with physical disabilities. The following values guide the organization, its services and will continue to guide any new developments:

• A commitment to high consumer involvement in the Ten Ten Sinclair Housing organization.
  
• A commitment to consumer control over their living situation, including a commitment to consumers assuming responsibility for decision making with all the associated risks and responsibilities.
  
• A commitment to experiential learning.
  
• A commitment to integrated community living.
  
• A commitment to consumers' maximizing their potential in independent living.
  
• A commitment to collaboration and partnerships with community organizations.

Ten Ten Sinclair Housing fulfils its mandate in the following ways:

• By providing an accessible apartment complex, transitional in nature, at 1010 Sinclair Street.
  
• By providing opportunities for people with physical disabilities to develop the skills required to function independently in an integrated community setting.
  
• Counselling and direct assistance is focused towards the development of:
  
  Maximum physical independence
  
  Consumers assuming maximum control over their environment and services
  
  Personal and household management skills
  
  Social skills geared towards community integration
  
  Awareness of the supportive services available
  
• By participating in the development of appropriate housing models to facilitate independent Living for people with physical disabilities.
  
• By administering and/or operating independent living housing models and support services in the community.
  
• By participating in the development and/or operation of services which support independent living.

In the early 1970's community agencies and individuals began to voice concerns regarding inadequate housing for young persons with physical disabilities. At that time, many young physically disabled Manitobans were housed either in personal care homes, room and board situations or with their parents. These living environments limited the individual's ability to plan and to take control over their own lives.

Luther Home Corporation, the Manitoba Division of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, interested physically handicapped individuals and other community groups joined together to explore the housing models which would meet the needs they had identified. The outcome was the formation of Ten Ten Sinclair, an apartment building designed to meet the needs of individuals with mobility impairments. Ten Ten Sinclair Housing opened in July of 1975.

Consideration was given to whether the housing should be permanent or interim. The Planning Committee decided at that time to opt for transitional housing as it would ensure that the resources of Ten Ten Sinclair would be available to the largest number of disabled Manitobans.

The early planners of Ten Ten Sinclair wished to ensure that Ten Ten Sinclair as an organization would be flexible in response to changing tenant and community needs. This concept of adaptation to change has been reflected in the ongoing development in the administration of Ten Ten Sinclair.

In many ways Ten Ten Sinclair has been the driving force in the development of community housing for physically disabled Manitobans. Since 1975, a number of housing options have been developed specifically to meet the needs of younger physically disabled persons. There is now accessible and affordable housing available within both the public and private housing sectors of Manitoba. Also, there are housing options available for those who require twenty-four hour attendant care services. There is, however, a need to continue working to develop a variety of community based housing models to ensure that all physically disabled Manitobans have suitable housing options.

1. Building: The construction costs for the building itself were cost shared between the federal and provincial government. The ongoing operating costs to maintain the building are covered by an annual budget from Manitoba Housing, a department of the provincial government.

2. Services: The Attendants, Housekeeping and Resource services at Ten Ten Sinclair are paid for by grants from the Department of Health of the provincial government.

A non-profit community board has been charged with the responsibility of overseeing the administration of the funding and services of Ten Ten Sinclair. The "Board" is not involved in the day-to-day administration but rather participates by establishing policies for the organization and ensuring that Ten Ten Sinclair is meeting its goals and objectives.

Due to the variety of issues and number of responsibilities of the Board, a large amount of the work is carried out by committees who make recommendations to the Board.

Every year at the Ten Ten Sinclair Annual Meeting, 12 to 18 Board members are elected by the membership of Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. The by-laws of Ten Ten Sinclair stipulate that the Board of Directors shall be composed of:

• 1/3 Tenant representatives who are nominated by the Tenants' Association;
• 1/3 Manitoba Department of Housing representatives appointed by the Minister of Housing;
• 1/3 representatives from the community at large.

Membership in Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. is open to anyone who supports the goals and philosophy of Ten Ten Sinclair. Members receive annual reports and are entitled to vote at annual meetings. There is a minimal fee to join. All tenants are encouraged to become members.

For more information on the organization, please contact Ken Cassin, the Managing Director of TenTen Sinclair